By; NONYE JULIET EKWENUGO, Kaduna
A non-governmental organization, , Mercy Corps has trained peace agents and other stakeholders in Kaduna on usage of the newly developed Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) software system.
The EWER coordinator at the National Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja, Mr. Steve Agbo during a one-day workshop with stakeholders in Kaduna, explained that the training is to equip the participants with the necessary skills to effectively utilize the software for transmitting early warning information to the ‘EWER Situation Room’ situated in Abuja.
He further explained that Mercy Corps under its Peace Action for Rapid Transformative Nigerian Early Warning Response (PARTNER) a consortium organization sponsored by USAID is collaborating with the Peace institute to enhance the effectiveness of early warning system in Nigeria.
According to Agbo, they have established various peace structures in various communities in Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Benue and Nasarawa states.
“We are here in Kaduna today to bring all the peace structures we have established together to integrate them understand the various roles their roles as peace agents, then work together to enhance the effectiveness of early warning system”.
He therefore, urged the participants to collaborate, synergize with each other in order to have coordination of conflict reporting from community level to the national level, he said.
Agbo reiterated that the ultimate goal was to ensure sustainable peace through the efficient operation of the early warning response system in Nigeria.
During his presentation, Mr John Yisa, Engagement Manager at Mobitech Limited, guided the participants on utilising website platforms effectively for reporting conflict signals or occurrences for early response.
The chief of party, PARTNER, Mr Danjuma Saidu Dawop underscored the pivotal role of the ‘EWER Situation Room’ in Abuja, which serves as the central hub for receiving and disseminating early warning reports to relevant security agencies, he said.
The participants at the training emphasised the importance of security agencies keeping their doors open for the citizens to freely report potential conflict signals, while also ensuring the adequate protection of citizens’ privacy.
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